We help children experience and express themselves through art.
Seanse’s mission is to enable children and youths to experience and express through art. We arrange and support artist residencies, seminars, workshops, and conferences. We are located at Volda University College, and financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, Møre and Romsdal County, Volda University College, and Arts Council Norway.
We believe in an expanded and improved art practice in education, and the development of partnerships between the arts, schools, and kindergartens. We started and have led the national initiative to bring the Teaching Artist model to Norway since 2012, and were selected to lead the Cultural Rucksack’s country-wide project INK2013 to improve art access for children and youths with special needs. Seanse’s main engagement does however continue to be supporting the production of art for and with children – since 2004 we have hosted more than 550 such productions.
Seanse cooperates extensively with other international artists. With international contributors we arranged the First International Teaching Artist Conference in Oslo in 2012, the Animation and Puppetry Workshop in Volda in 2011, and “The Writing Body” workshop in Tromsø in 2010. In cooperation with Lincoln Center Education, we currently lead an international exchange program for Teaching Artists.
We know that good art programs contributes to children’s development problem solving skills, creativity, critical thinking and ability to adapt. Art is important as a way to reach and deepen understanding and access alternative perspectives. Through sharing our expertise, piloting new art practices, conferences, research, seminars and supporting high-quality productions, we work to improve art for and with children.
SEANSE presents extraordinary conferences! The one I recently attended provided significant learning for participants, including thought-provoking and informational experiences for all involved.
Sarah JohnsonDirector, Weill Music Institute
at Carnegie Hall (New York City, USA)
As an arena for the production of art, Seanse is unique in its combination of a residency, artistic and pedagogic guidance, economic support and providing practice audiences…There is also complete agreement that this role serves a purpose and fulfills a need.
Telemark Research InstituteInfrastruktur for kvalitet? (Norwegian)
Evaluation of Seanse (2012)
– Our stay gave our project a rocket start, we really focused and bonded as a team.
– Major leap in our project’s realization
– Got both financed and booked
– Super helpful!
ArtistsIn their evaluations of Seanse
Phone: (+47) 7007 5365
Mobile: (+47) 930 69 526
E-mail: mu@hivolda.no
Center Director Marit Ulvund is Associate Professor (PhD) in Theatre, with education from NTNU in Norway, University of Minnesota in the United States, and Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Her PhD thesis is a practice-led study in Echo Theatre, a new theatre method she has developed. The study confirms that while there is potential for Echo Theatre to support the development of performative and narrative competencies in students, the effectiveness of this directly relates to the teacher’s theatre knowledge and skills and didactic attitude towards the students.
Her focus as a researcher and center director revolves around theatre practice, arts in education and art for and with children. Marit has been with SEANSE since its founding, and as director is responsible for the center’s strategic vision, funding, administration and planning.
Mobile: (+47) 905 95 459
E-mail: sollik@hivolda.no
Karstein is the artistic director of Seanse. He graduated as a preschool teacher and has mime and theater education from Ecole Jaques Lecoq in Paris, Desmond Jones School of Mime, London and the Mime Department at the State Theater School in Amsterdam. He is a choreographer and a stage director and has since 1987 been producing solo performances as well as having large productions under his direction. Solli’s artistic work is often characterized as an intersection between dance, theater and performance. He has been touring in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, the United States, Brazil and in Chile. Solli is currently a lecturer in the BA study programme at Høyskolen for Dansekunst, Oslo. Since 1997 Solli has been a regular receiver of the Norwegian State Income for Artists.
Phone: (+47) 70 07 54 83
Mobile: (+47) 91 31 99 30
E-mail: kristian.glomnes@hivolda.no
Head of communication and media Kristian Glomnes has a BA in drama and theatre as well as pedagogy from Volda University College. Previously he has an education from Norwegian Business School with subjects as economics, IT and marketing. After working with evolving the Food truck concept in Oslo, traveling the world as a backpacker and studying acting, film and philosophy in California. Kristian now as fallen for his passion of art and culture, especially towards kids and youth. He has been active in many volunteer organizations as the Norwegian documentary film festival, Vekerevyen, Fadderveka and has had positions as revue manger, executive sponsor to mention some.
Phone: (+47) 70 07 52 37
Mobile: (+47) 95 10 30 59
E-mail: silje.grevsnes@hivolda.no
Producer Silje Elise Grevsnes holds a Bachelor of Culture and Social Science specializing in aesthetic subjects from the University of Bergen. She holds a master’s degree in social planning and management from Volda University College. Silje has practical experience with various artforms and has tried different subjects; from darkroom work to Chinese calligraphy. She has served as cultural director in the municipality of Lebesby for three years. There she was also a cinema manager and participated in many events, projects and productions. She has been a cultural trainee in Kom Trainee, where she among other things worked in the Opera in Kristiansund. Silje also has experience as a producer through the start-up of her own enterprise Kulturbygda.
Chairman:
Ingunn Welle – Økonomidirektør, Volda University College
Members:
Ragnhild Holsvik – Head of Arts and Culture, Møre and Romsdal County
Unni Hagen – Dean, Department of Arts, Volda University College
Eric Booth – International art consultant and honorary Teaching Artist, New York
Johannes Joner – Actor, director and Teaching Artist, Oslo Nye Teater
Irene Rosenblom – Leader of the Cultural Rucksack (Nord-Trøndelag County)
Ellen Saur – Associate Professor, NTNU
Annette Saugestad Helland – Animator, illustrator and author
Seanse mediates contact with experienced mentors within many fields of study. Volda University College offers BA in animation, drama/theatre, arts and crafts, music, media production, kindergarten and teaching, child welfare and social worker studies, language, history and social studies, as well as several MA studies.